Urban Geography Central Place Theory and Models of

Urban Geography Central Place Theory and Models of Urban Development

Central Place Theory l l First proposed by German Geographer Walter Christaller Developed in 1930’s by Christaller’s studies of southern Germany

Christallers two conclusions: l 1. ) Towns of the same size will be evenly spaced. This means there will be many more small towns than large towns. l 2. ) The systems of towns is interdependent. If one town was eliminated, the other towns would have to adjust.

Urban Areas of the World

Percent Urban by Region

Inside the City “INSIDE THE SUBURBAN CIRCLE” l l Land Values are high because of the large amounts of people wanting land small amounts of land. Because of the scarce land, cities started to go vertical and became compact.

Inside the City: The CBD l l l The best location in a city (& highest value) is where the most interchange would occur. With the addition of mass transit lines and better transportation systems, land near these systems became valuable. The name given to this land that is auctioned to the highest bidder is CBD--Central Business District.

Inside the City: CBD Cont… l l l The CBD is where the tallest office buildings and luxury hotels are. Some spaces are not involved in this “bidding” of land: schools, parks and public buildings. Less desirable land is used for factories and residential areas.

Land Values & Population Density l l l So where do people live if there is an auction for the best land in the CBD? If affordable, people tend to live near the edges of the city. If people cannot afford to live further away from the city they tend to live in high density areas of the CBD. Population density decreases as you get further away from the CBD.

Where are People Distributed Within Urban Areas l Three Models of Urban Structure l l l Concentric Zone Sector Multiple Nuclei

Three Models of Urban Structure l l These models were developed to help explain where people tend to live in an urban area. All models were developed to explain the social structure of Chicago. Few physical features to interrupt growth other than Lake Michigan. These three models are now applied to cities in the U. S. and other countries.

Concentric Zone Model l Created in 1923 by sociologist E. W. Burgess. According to theory, a city grows outward from a central area in a series of concentric rings. Size of the rings vary, but all appear in the same order.

Concentric Zone Theory l l l Center ring is the CBD, where nonresidential activities are concentrated. 2 nd ring, zone in transition, contains industry and poor quality housing. Immigrants to the city first live in this zone. 3 rd ring, zone of working class homes. 4 th ring, newer and more spacious homes for middle-class families. 5 th ring, commuters’ zone.

Concentric Zone Theory

Sector Model l l l Developed in 1939 by Homer Hoyt. City develops in a series of sectors instead of rings. Certain areas of the city are more attractive usually because of an environmental factor. As a city grows, activities expand outward in a wedge. The best housing is found in a corridor extending from downtown to the outer edge. Industry and retailing activities develop along good transportation lines.

Sector Model

Multiple Nuclei Model l Theory developed in 1945 by C. D. Harris and E. L. Ullman Complex center with many centers. Some areas attract certain businesses and other areas are not attractive. (Heavy industry and high-class housing. )

Multiple Nuclei Model

Suburbs l In the United States, Canada and most of Western Europe the word "suburb" usually refers to a separate municipality, borough or unincorporated area outside a central town or city.

Density Gradient l l As you travel outward from the center of a city, you can watch the decline in the density at which people live. Inner-city apartments (100 dwellings/acre) Older suburbs, larger row houses (4 houses/acre) New suburbs, detached house (. 5 acre – 2. 5 acres)

Density Gradient in Cleveland, OH

Suburb Population l l l Suburban population has grown much faster than the overall population of the U. S. In 1950 20% of pop. lived in suburbs, 40% in central cities, and 40% in rural/small towns. In 2000, 50% of pop. lived in suburbs, 30% in central cities, and 20% in rural/small towns.

Suburbs are favorable l l In most polls, 90% of people prefer suburbs to the inner-city. WHY?

Attractions of Suburbs l l l A detached single-family home (instead of row houses or an apartment). Home ownership Space and privacy More space for families When income increased in 20 th century, people could afford to live further from the city.

Suburban Growth Pattern (U. S. and U. K. )

Peripheral Model l An urban area consists of an inner city surrounded by large suburban residential and business areas tied together by a beltway, or loop.

Peripheral Model

Reasons for Suburban Growth in the U. S. l l Increased use of automobile and freeway system. FHA loans. Guaranteed by the govt. allowed people in the 1950 s to buy a home. The U. S. has encouraged the use of cars, the govt. has paid for 46, 000 miles of interstate highway. Up to ¼ of a city can be devoted to roads and parking.

Problems of Suburbs l l l Long commutes, traffic jams, and “rush-hour”. Communities segregate by class. Urban sprawl—progressive spread of development over the landscape. Roads and utilities must be built. Sprawl wastes land. Developers do not develop adjacent land, they leave a pocket between city and new development.

% URBAN POPULATION Cities with 2 million or more people. Most of the largest cities are now in LDCs.

The United States / Canadian Cities l Very different—not the same. l l Differences exist between old eastern/new western Differences exist between Canada/U. S. l l l Canadian city is more compact—higher densities. C. C. is more dependent on mass transportation. U. S. cities have greater distinct social patterns—“no white flight”.

Professionals in Glasgow Top professionals in Glasgow, Scotland, are more likely to live near the center of the city, in contrast to most U. S. cities.

Indianapolis: Ethnic Patterns Fig. 13 -10: The distribution of minorities in Indianapolis is an example of a multiple nuclei model.

Dayton, Ohio, Inner City Drug-related arrests (left) have been concentrated in the inner-west side of the city. In the 2001 mayoral election, votes for Rhine Mc. Lin concentrated in the African-American section of the city.

Western European Cities l l Paris & London are primate cities. They are the political, economic and cultural centers. Other cities in Germany and Italy have marks of their historical pass, some even back to Roman Times.

W. European cities more compact than U. S. Why? l l l City skylines tend to be low as a lot of buildings pre-date steel construction and elevators. High density—W. Europe rely on mass transit, especially subways. Automobile has become more important, but not even close to the U. S. Home to work still close. Social stratification of city is almost opposite of U. S. City.

Public Transport in Brussels Fig. 13 -22: Brussels illustrates the integration of heavy rail and light rail in public transport.

Eastern European l Very similar to W. Europe. l l High densities mass transit. Due to communist control, CBD was for Gov’t use. Many micro districts developed close to factories as they were built to house the workers.

Developing World l l All have seen increase of “in-migration” from rural areas. As a result almost, all have an outer ring of poor people with high densities and a low amount of public services. Many have populations that cannot be supported by labor markets. Colonized cities mark a comparison to Western cities.

The Latin America City l l “City life” is the cultural norm. Majority of residents of Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile reside in cities. Limited wealth has kept most commercial activity to CBD transportation systems lead to the CBD.

Latin American City Model Fig. 13 -15: In many Latin American cities, the wealthy live in the inner city and in a sector extending along a commercial spine.

Mexico City Fig. 13 -12: The Aztec city of Tenochtitlán was built on an island in Lake Texcoco. Today poorer people live on a landfill in the former lakebed, and the elite live to the west.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Fig. 13 -16: High income households in Rio de Janeiro live in the CBD and in a spine along the ocean. Low-income households often live in peripheral areas.

Asian/African City l l Many founded & developed by European Colonists. Many Europeans built forts near rivers—then into open space. Typical: 2 towns developed near fort—one of natives, one of Europeans. Recently, expansion moved middle class to outer ring.